2021-12-13 GC Agenda - Item 8 -Attachment 1 - Housing Needs Assessment

11. Social Housing
11.1        Broader Context
The provision of social housing is the responsibility of the Queensland Government, however
Governments are now partnering with Local Government, community providers and the development
industry to try and tackle this complex problem. Social housing comprises public housing and
community housing. Public housing is funded and managed by the State Government; and
community housing is funded by either the Australian or the State Government and managed by the
not-for-profit sector.
11.1.1           National context
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, in 2019–20, just over 800,000 Australians
lived in social housing in over 436,000 dwellings across the country. The majority (69%) of social
housing dwellings were public housing stock and community housing (24%). State owned and
managed Indigenous housing and Indigenous community housing made up the rest. Commonwealth
Rent Assistance was provided to just over 1.7 million at the end of June 2020.
At a national level, key characteristics of social housing households are summarised below46:
•      almost two-thirds (62%) of main tenants were female, with 37% male
•      main tenants aged 55–59 were the largest 5 year age group (11%)
•      around 14% of main tenants were aged 75 or older
•      15% included an Indigenous member
•      35% included a tenant with disability
•      most households comprised single adults (51%)
•      95% of households had a low income status
The National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA) commenced on 1 July 2018 and
provides annual funding to states and territories to improve Australians’ access to secure and
affordable housing across the housing spectrum. A portion is set aside for homelessness services.
Under the NHHA, to receive funding, state and territory governments are required to have publicly
available housing and homelessness strategies and contribute to improved data collection and
reporting.
The housing strategies must address the NHHA housing priority policy areas relevant to the state or
territory. The housing priority policy areas include:
•      affordable housing,
•      social housing,
•      encouraging growth and supporting the viability of the community housing sector,
•      tenancy reform,
•      home ownership and
•      planning and zoning reform initiatives.
The homelessness strategies must address the NHHA priority cohorts, and outline reforms or
initiatives that reduce the incidence of homelessness. Priority homelessness cohorts include:
•      women and children affected by family and domestic violence,
•      children and young people,
•      Indigenous Australians,
•      people experiencing repeat homelessness,


46 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (30 June 2021) Housing Assistance in Australia




Noosa Housing Needs Assessment 2021                                                            Page 92